Savage claimed the "game is doomed" if criticism is only valid if it comes from former players who won major trophies and in that case 99 per cent of the football industry was unqualified.

"Evidently some people have been expecting me to return fire after being dug out by John Terry for daring to express opinions about football after playing 'at a really bad level' in my career," Savage wrote in his column in the Daily Mirror.

"Apparently I am not entitled to venture opinions about Terry on BT Sport, in the Daily Mirror or the BBC Six-0-Six phone-in because I have not won major trophies like fellow pundits Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher or Gary Neville.

"I only played 346 games in the Premier League, captained four clubs in the top flight and won 39 international caps. So much for playing at a really bad level.

"John is entitled to his opinion. It's just a shame he thinks 99 per cent of the football industry - those of us who have not won the title or Champions League medals - is unqualified to express theirs.

"Journalists and pundits are employed to convey opinions based on what they see. Fans in pubs, schools, factories and offices argue about football on a daily basis.

"If criticism is only valid when it comes from old team-mates who played at the very highest level, the game is doomed."

Savage said that Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho never played the game at a high standard but when they expressed an opinion "the whole world listens" and that England boss Roy Hodgson never played in the Football League.

The former Wales midfielder added: "Perhaps, when I'm finished as a pundit, John will give me a job polishing all those trophies and medals he's won!"

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